D&D 5E Less armour but same protection

[DEFCON 1]

Yea, I agree with this. The only change I would make is that I would allow any character with heavy armor proficiency to use their Strength instead of Dexterity for purposes of AC calculation. That way martial characters based on Strength aren't at a disadvantage, but you still keep the overall aesthetic and feel. (Just assume a high Str character is better at blocking and parrying attacks, rather than dodging, as an explanation.)

Sure, you could do that. Personally though, I'd either remove DEX from all AC calculations regardless of armor type (which will, yes, make ACs even lower, but I don't think that's a bad thing)... or keep the DEX for AC and instead make Athletics checks more prevalent as you traipse through the jungle (climbing, swimming, jumping etc.) to give the STR-based PCs their own advantage to cover not getting to wear heavy armor.

 

[embee]

I'm doing a deep jungle campaign in which only leather, heavy leather and shields are available. How would you handle the lack of better protection? Magic items are the obvious work around but that would only makes sense to me at higher levels. Would you award an AC bonus, per X level, that varies with class?

What kind of deep jungle are you talking about? You've got adventurers in heavy packs and heavy leather. Are you also including exhaustion to account for heat and humidity?

 

[embee]

Are you saying you wouldn't be down with a campaign set in a Skull Island environment with adventurers in steampunk power armor and machetes?

 

[Marc_C]

What kind of deep jungle are you talking about? You've got adventurers in heavy packs and heavy leather. Are you also including exhaustion to account for heat and humidity?

The PCs are all Tabaxi and native to the region. They would know how to prep for adventure and how to not exert themselves.

 

[Weiley31]

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[Marc_C]

Summon forth Bikini Armor: The Cheesecakeningng!!!

Coming soon to a Cheesecake Factory near you.

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Mod Edit: While you may have felt that person was deserving of this, the rest of us aren't. Please remember this is supposed to be a family-friendly place. Spoiler tag added out of consideration for others. ~Umbran

 

[NotAYakk]

You could try a simple rule like:

Shield Block: When using a shield and light or medium armor, you can substitute your strength bonus for your dexterity bonus to AC.

A dex based character is fine in your system. What this does is make Strength based characters with shields also fine.

Dual wielders tend to be dex based.

Strength based dual-wielders or great weapon users will have low AC.

 

[embee]

The PCs are all Tabaxi and native to the region. They would know how to prep for adventure and how to not exert themselves.

Where are they getting the leather?

I can see them going with bracers and shin guards. But not full leather armor. It's a jungle. It rots leather quickly. Within a month, the leather will be able to be torn by hand. It is the inability to dry out the leather that could make it soften and rot [or for other armors to rust and generally corrode]. Maybe look at wooden or bamboo armor that may be less susceptible to humidity or lacquered armors [paper, wood, leather etc.] that could be sealed against the environment.

Leather shouldn't get wet. It can be treated to naturally shed water, but soaking leather will turn it soft initially and harden and shrink it when it dries. Clothing can be detrimental. While sandals protect the feet from thorns, boots cause foot fungus that can incapacitate. Light, breathable fabrics dry in a few minutes in the sun (sometimes hard to find in the rain forest) while heavy garments of leather would be stiflingly hot and hard to dry and then have to soften up again once they were dry.

Tabaxi rely on dexterity - stealth, camouflage, and ambush tactics. They already have some natural camouflage through their coats. They're in their natural environment that they are already adapted to.

 

[BacchusNL]

Are you saying you wouldn't be down with a campaign set in a Skull Island environment with adventurers in steampunk power armor and machetes?

I think that the de-forestation needed to drill for oil, to keep those suits running, would be too real for me

 

[embee]

Summon forth Bikini Armor: The Cheesecakeningng!!!

Coming soon to a Cheesecake Factory near you.

And of course, the add-on splatbook "Mankini Armor: The Beefcakening!!!!"